Prefabricated bathroom walls

ABSTRACT

A unitary building wall, having a plurality of sets of passageways disposed therein and serving as a conduit for introducing the necessary utilities to a dwelling unit, is disclosed. A plurality of sets of tree-like passageways, which passageways include a trunk and one or more tributaries, are disposed within an otherwise solid building wall. The trunks of the passageways extend into and out of the building wall and communicate with similar trunks disposed in adjacent vertically aligned walls. A plurality of orifices are disposed in the lateral side of the building wall and communicate with one of the trunk or tributaries of one of the sets of passageways. The various fixtures within a dwelling unit, such as a tub, toilet, sink and lights, are connected to the orifices. Thereby, the fixtures are connected to the various utilities disposed within one or another of the sets of passageways. A method is also disclosed for forming the unitary building wall, which method includes the construction of a plurality of disposable or hollow trees, each tree defining one set of passageways. The trees are positioned within a form, which form defines the exterior dimensions of the building wall. A flowable hardenable material is poured within the form and allowed to set and cure. After curing, the trees, if made of ice and therefore disposable, are melted and will leave tree-like passageways within the building wall. If the trees are not disposable but hollow, they form a plurality of tree-like passageways within the building wall.

United States Patent [1 1 Alosi PREFABRICATED BATHROOM WALLS [76]Inventor: Anthony C. Alosi, 7450 E. Bonita,

Scottsdale, Ariz. 85053 '22 Filed: Sept. 13,1972

211 Appl. No.: 288,673

Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cahill,Sutton & Thomas I 5 7 ABSTRACT A unitary building wall, having aplurality of sets of passageways disposed therein and serving as aconduit 11] 3,821,818 [451 July 2,1974

for introducing the necessary utilities to a dwelling unit, isdisclosed. A plurality of sets of tree-like passageways, whichpassageways include a trunk and one or more tributaries, are disposedwithin an otherwise solid building wall. The trunks of the passagewaysextend into and out of the building wall and communicate with similartrunks disposed in adjacent vertically aligned walls. A plurality oforifices are disposed in the lateral side of the building wall andcommunicate with one of the trunk or tributaries of one of the sets ofpassageways. The various fixtures within a dwelling unit, such as a tub,toilet, sink and lights, are connected to the orifices. Thereby, thefixtures are connected to the various utilities disposed within one oranother of the sets of passageways. A method is also disclosed forforming the unitary building wall, which method includes theconstruction of a plurality of disposable or hollow trees, each treedefining one set of passageways. The trees are positioned within a form,which form defines the exterior dimensions of the building wall. Aflowable hardenable material is poured within the form and allowed toset and cure. After curing, the trees, if made of ice and thereforedisposable, are melted and will leave tree-like passageways within thebuilding wall. If the trees are not disposable but hollow, they form aplurality of tree-like passageways within the building wall.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures msmamul 2814 3.821.818

SHEEI 1 OF 3 PREFABRICATED BATHROOM WALLS The present invention relatesto prefabricated walls and, more particularly, to a method for producingand to a structure of prefabricated unitary bathroom walls incorporatingpassageways for the utilities required in dwellings.

Traditionally, bathroom walls, whether of post and lintel constructionor of cement block construction, are built with a large amount of freespace disposed therein. After erection of the wall, conduits for thevarious utilities such as water, heat, ventilation and cooling systems,electrical power, sewage and air vents, are separately fitted within thefree space in the wall. The conduits are ultimately connectedintermediate a point source for the respective utilities and thefixtures within the bathroom.

In normal practice, specially trained craftsman must install theseconduits. As each craftsman is only trained to install a particular oneof the conduits, a plurality of craftsman must utilize their skills inturn. Because the craftsmen usually cannot work concurrently, the timerequired to install and connect the requisite utility conduits in abathroom is very great and often constitutes a limiting factor in thetotal time required to erect a building.

Where bathrooms are back to back, such as in hotels or in apartmentbuildings, the outlets of the conduits extend into the'adjacentbathrooms diametrically opposite one another. The opposed outletsusually require that the conduits leading thereto include a plurality ofright angle bends. The substance flowing through the conduits, whetherit be air, water, or sewage, tends to burble or otherwise flow in aturbulent manner through the right angle bends. The turbulent flowcreates pressure waves within the audible range. These pressure wavesconstitute background noise, which noise can be extremely disturbing toadjacent occupants. Previously, a solution for the noise problem hasbeen that of adding sound insulation to the bathroom walls. Thissolution, though effective to some extent, is undesirable for severalreasons. First, the installation of the sound insulation adds asubstantial cost factor. Second, yet another craftsman must be employedto install the sound insulation, which installation further extends thetime required to erect and finish the bathroom walls.

In modern construction techniques, modular dwelling units of varioustypes' have been developed. In particular, stackable self-containedmodular units are often incorporated in building complexes such asmotels, hotels and apartment buildings. In all of these modular units, arectangular shell, usually of reinforced concrete, is constructed at anoff site location. The completed modular unit is then shipped to theconstruction site. At the construction site, the modular units areeither stacked one upon another within a framework or they includesufficient structural members to permit the units to be stacked adjacentand on top of one another. In this manner, the basic walls, floors andceilings of the dwelling complex are assembled. After assembly, however,the standard methods are employed to install the various utilitieswithin each of the modular units. Thus, although considerable timesaving is effected by the pre-construction of the modular units, no timesavings is employed in installing the various utilities in the assembleddwelling complex.

Another recently developed method for constructing multiple unitdwelling complexes has been that using mass production techniques toconstruct a plurality of walls or wall segments at an off site location.The walls or wall segments are shipped to the site and erected to formthe dwelling complex. After erection, the various utilities areinstalled and connected to the individual dwelling units by standardwell-known techniques. A substantial time saving is effected byconstructing the walls or wall segments on a mass production basis, butlittle, if any, time savings is effected during the process ofinstalling and connecting the requisite utilities.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide aunitary bathroom wall containing passageways for the requisiteutilities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a low cost unitarybathroom wall structure, which structure includes passageways for therequisite utilities.

A yet another object of the present invention is to provide aself-contained bathroom wall structure, which structure may bemanufactured-by mass production techniques.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a stackablebathroom wall structure which interconnects with similar verticallystacked bathroom wall structures.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bathroom wallhaving a low sound transmission coefficient. I

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a method forconstructing bathroom walls, which walls incorporate the requisitepassageways for various utilities.

A still further object of vthe present invention is to provide a methodfor constructing a unitary bathroom wall incorporating passageways forthe requisite utilities by using disposable internal forms. I

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

The present invention may be described with more specificity and claritywith reference to the following figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the finished form of a bathroom wall constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the present invention taken alonglines 2-2 as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bathroom wall installedon an upper floor.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the present invention takenalong lines 4-4 as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for a method used to construct a bathroom wall inaccordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. l, there is shown an environment within which thepresent invention is well suited. A unitary wall 1 includes a pluralityof sets of internal passageways. Each of these sets of passagewaysconveys one of the following required utilities: hot and cold water;heat ventilation and air conditioning; and waste disposal and associatedair vents. Each of these sets of passageways includes one or moreorifices (see FIG. 2) disposed on lateral side 18.

Most modern bathrooms incorporate a plurality of structures such asbathtubs, toilets, sinks and mirrors to accommodate thevarious bodilyneeds. With the present invention, these structures may be positionedadjacent wall 1 and connected to the one'or more of the sets ofpassageways within the wall through the orifices disposed within lateralside 18.

Tub 2, adjacent wall 1, has its drain (not shown) connected to anorifice communicating with the waste disposal passageway, which orificeis located in proximity to bottom 31 of thewall. Standard valving meansmay be incorporated within the tub to control the flow of waste waterthrough the drain. Above and approximately central to one endof tub 2there is located a hand-operatedvalvemechanism for filling the tub witha mixture of hot and cold water. The valve mechanism includes a hotwater valve4, a cold water valve 5 and a faucet 3. Both the hot and coldwater valves 4 and 5, respectively, communicate with the respective hotand cold water passageways through orifices disposed within wall 18.

At another location adjacent lateral side 18 of wall 1,

there may be disposed a toilet 8. As is conventional in the industry,toilet 8 includes the water tank 9 for supplying the requisite amount ofwater to flush the toilet. The water inlet for water tank 9 communicateswith the cold water passageway through an orifice disposed in lateralside 18. Conventional valving means may be disposed within water tank 9to control the flow of water thereto. On flushing of the toilet 8, thewaste matter flows into the waste disposal passageway through an orificeon lateral sidel8 and in proximity to the bottom 31 of wall 1. Thus,wall 1 supplies water to toilet 8 and conveys the waste matter therefromthrough passageways internal to wall 1. n

At another location adjacent to wall 1 there may be positioned a cabinet10, which cabinet supports a sink 11. Sink 11 includes a drain 24. Drain24 communicates with the waste'disposal passageway within wall 1 throughanorifice on lateral side 18 and conveys the waste from sink 11 to asewage system. The water input through faucet 12 to sink 1 I iscontrolled by a hand operated valve mechanism 13. The valve mechanism 13communicates with the hot and cold water passageways through a pair oforifices disposed in lateral wall 18. a A mirrored cabinet 14 may belocated immediately above cabinet 10. A light fixture 15 is disposedabove mirrored cabinet 14 to provide a source of light for the bathroom.The wires carrying the electrical power for light 15 are laid within theelectrical power passageway and terminate in a junction box within anorifice disposed in lateral side 18 and adjacent light 15. Similarly,electrical power is conveyed through afurther electrical powerpassageway to an orifice in lateral side 18 immediately adjacentelectrical plug 17.

A-heating,'ventilating and air conditioning louver 6 may be locatedabove tub 2 in wall 1. The louver 6 communicates with the heating,ventilating and air conditioning passageway through an orifice withinlateral side 18.

lt is to be understood that modifications may be made in the placementof the fixtures within the bathroom; One such modification might be thatof placing the sink or toilet adjacent another wall. In such a case; therequired passageways would be directed laterally to the junction of theadjoining wall and extendtherefrom by conventional plumbing techniques.

of these receptacles represents an aperture or opening to the trunk of aset of passageways disposed within the bathroom wall 1. in example,receptacle 26 communicates with the trunk of a set of passagewaysthrough which the waste material flows; receptacle 27 communicates withthe trunk of another set of passageways through which further wastematerial flows; receptacle 28 communicates with the trunk of a set ofpassageways for venting the flow of waste material; receptacle29'communicates with the trunk of a set of passageways for the heating,ventilating and air conditioningsystem.

Each of the receptacles 26, 27, 28 and 29 is constructed as a femalepart of a compression fitting cooperating with a corresponding malecompression fitting, where the male compression fitting extendsdownwardly from the bottom side of the next vertically adjacent bathroomwall (see FIG. 3). In this manner, the trunks of the respectivepassageways are interconnected and form a commontrunk for all verticallyaligned bathrooms within a dwelling complex.

Vertical side 20 of walll includes a chase 21 disposed thereinforhousing a pair of pipes 22 and 23. One of these pipes such as pipe 22 isconnected to a source of hot water. These pipes are tapped atappropriate points and provide a source of hot and cold water to each ofthe respective bathrooms. The electrical power cables 7 for supplyingelectrical power to the bathrooms are also disposed within chase 21.These cables are tapped at appropriate points to convey electri-, calpower to the various lights, switches and sockets.

The internal construction of the present invention is shown in furtherdetail in FIG. 2. Each of the utilities required in a bathroom, that is,a source of hot and cold water, a source of electrical power, wastedisposal and heat, ventilation and air conditioning is supplied to thebathroom by a wall 1 constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. Each of these utilities is available within wall 1 from oneof a plurality of sets of passageways. Each of these sets of passagewaysincludes a major portion, or trunk, and a plurality of tributaries. Thecombination of trunkandtributaries will be referred to hereinafter as atree.

The hot and cold water source is represented by a pair of pipes 22 and23, respectively, extending within chase 21. A plurality of generallyhorizontal passageways 40, 41, 46 and 47 are disposed within wall 1 andcommunicate with the cavity defined by chase 21. For a betterunderstanding of the following description, reference may also be madeto FIG. 4.

Each of passageways 40 and 41 extend from a point within chase 21 to oneof orifices 42 and43. Orifices 42 and 43 are juxtapositioned withvalving means 13, wherethrough water is supplied to sink lL-Passageways40 and 41 may have inserted therein copper piping, plastic tubing or inthe alternative, the interior surface of the passageways may be definedby the material of wall 1. Hot water pipe 22 is tapped at point 44 witha valve and elbow 45. The valve and elbow 45 may communicate directlywith passageway 40, or an intermediate piece of piping may be disposedbetween the elbow and the passageway. If copper piping or plastic tubingis disposed within passageway 40, elbow 45 may be directly connected tothe piping or tubing. in this maner, hot water from hot water pipe 22 isconveyed through passageway 40 to its respective orifice 43.

The construction of passageway 41 and its valved interconnection withcold water pipe 23 and orifice 43 is similar to the above description ofpassageway 40. The structure of orifices 42 and 43 may take any one ofseveral forms. They may be simply cylindrical cavities for receiving amale fitting from valving mechanism 13, or they may include a studextending outwardly from lateral side 18 for subsequent connection tovalving mechanism 13.

The construction of passageways 46 and 47 is similar to that ofpassageways 40 and 41, respectively. In example, passageway 46 extendsfrom a point within chase 21 to orifice 36. Orifice 36 is juxtaposedwith the hot water valve 4 of tub 2. Hot water pipe 22 is tapped atpoint 48 with a valve and elbow 49. The valve and elbow 49 maycommunicate directly with passageway 46 or it may communicate withpiping or tubing disposed within the passageway. Passageway 47 alsoextends from chase 21 but includes tributaries terminating at each oforifices 37 and 38. Orifice 37 is juxtaposed with the cold water inletto tank 9 of toilet 8, while orifice 38 is juxtaposed with the coldwater valve 5 of tub 2.

All of the bends of passageways 40, 41, 46 and 47 are either formed witha large radius or by small angles. With this arrangement, there isminimum turbulence of the water flow resulting in minimum generation ofaudible noise.

The electrical power used in the bathroom is supplied by power cables 7disposed within chase 21. A generally horizontal passageway 53 extendsinto wall 1 from chase 21 and terminates in an orifice 54, which orificeis juxtaposed with the location of light fixture 15. Electrical wires,tapping power cables 7 in chase 21, are run through passageway 53 andterminate in a junction box within orifice 54. The light fixture iselectrically connected to the junction box. A further generallyhorizontal passageway 55 also extends into wall 1 from chase 21 andterminates in an orifice 57, which orifice is juxtaposed with thelocation of socket 17. Electrical wires, tapping power cables 7 in chase21, are run through passageway 55 and terminate in a junction box withinorifice 57. The socket 17 is electrically connected to the junction box.

The heat, ventilation and air conditioning (I-IVAC) for the bathroom issupplied by wall 1 through trunk 51 of I-IVAC tree 50. Trunk 51 is agenerally circular passageway extending vertically through wall 1. Trunk51 includes a female compression fitting 29 disposed within the top ofside of wall 1. A corresponding male compression fitting 52 extends fromthe bottom side 31. When the bathroom walls 1 are stacked one on topanother, as might be the case when constructing apartment buildings orhotel units, the male fittings extending downwardly from the bottom side31 of each of the walls, extends into the corresponding female fittingsdisposed within the top side of the walls disposed immediatelytherebelow. Because of the compression fitting between adjacent verticalwalls, the respective trunks are interconnected with one another andsealed from outside disturbance. A sealing member (not shown) may bedisposed intermediate the male and female fittings to effect a betterseal.

Each of the trunks 51 includes one or more tributaries 53 (see FIG. 4)extending to lateral side 18. These tributaries distribute the flow ofair from trunk 51 to the bathroom through a fire damper and louver 6.

The tree for effecting the waste disposal from the tub 2, toilet 8, andsink 1 1 will now be described. The waste disposal tree includes a trunk61 extending vertically through the major part of wall 1. Trunk 61includes a female compression fitting 27 disposed within the top side 25of wall 1. Fitting 27 corresponds to and cooperates with a malecompression fitting extending downwardly from an immediately verticallyadjacent bathroom wall. Trunk 61 terminates at an orifice 62 disposed inlateral side 18. Orifice 62 positionally corresponds with the wasteoutlet of toilet 8 such that when the toilet is flushed, the wastematerial flows through orifice 62 into tree 60. A tributary 63,communicating with trunk 61, extends downwardly andlaterally fromorifice 62 to an outlet represented by male compression fitting 64,which fitting extends downwardly from bottom side 31.

A second tributary 65, communicating with trunk 61,

extends laterally from the termination of trunk 61 and orifice 62 towardorifice 66. Orifice 66 postionally corresponds with the drain of tub 2.In this manner, tub 2 drains into orifice 66 with the water flowingtherethrough, through tributary 65, into tributary 63 and out of wall 1through fitting 64.

As the walll shown in FIG. 2 is representative of the bottom-most floorof a multiple unit dwelling complex, the waste material flowing from thewall flows into an external sewage system. The external sewage system isrepresented by a pipe 67. Pipe 67 includes-a female compression fitting68 which fitting mates with male compression fitting 64. An annular seal69 may be disposed itnermediate fittings 64 and 68 to seal theconnection between the fittings.

A second trunk 69 of waste disposal tree 60 extends downwardly from topside 25 of wall 1 and includes an orifice 71 communicating with lateralside 18 of wall 1. Orifice 71 is located approximately coincident withthe output of drain 24 from sink 11. Thus, sink 11 drains into trunk 69through orifice 71. Trunk 69 extends downwardly from orifice 71 andintercepts tributary 63. Thus, the waste from sink ll flows throughorifice 71, the lower part of trunk 69, into tributary 63 and ultimatelyinto pipe 67.

The upper end of trunk 69 terminates in a female compression fitting 26.Fitting 26 is coincident to and mates with a male compression fittingextending downwardly from the bottom side of the immediate verticallyadjacent bathroom wall.

Although not shown in the figures, wall 1 may include additionaltributaries disposed in proximity to various orifices to permit cleanoutof the waste disposal system.

The air vent tree 79 for venting the various waste passageways withinwall 1 includes a trunk 80 extending downwardly from top side 25. Trunk80 splits into two tributaries, 81 and 82. Tributary 81 communicateswith and vents the waste passageway at approximately the intersection oftrunk '61 and tributaries 63 and 65. Tributary 82 communicates withtributary at the approximate junction of orifice 66 and tributary 65. Itis, of course, to be understood that the configuration and interceptionof the air vent tree tributaries may be moditied to satisfy localbuilding codes.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a bathroom wall constructed inaccordance with the present invention where the bathroom wall is to beused on the second or succeeding floors. For the sake of simplicity andbrevity, features common to both FIGS. 2 and 3 will not be discussed ingreat detail. Rather, the discussion will center upon the features whichare different due to the vertical positioning of the respective bathroomwalls. Functionally. similar features will be identified by using singleand double primedmembers.

One of the primary features of the present invention is that ofuniformity in placement of fixtures and various components to permit thewidest latitutde possible from the benefits associated with massproduction techniques. For this reason, the bathroom walls areconstructed to be interconnecting and interchangeable for any and allfloors above the lowest floor.

The HVAC tree 50 is similar in both walls 1 and 1 and the tributaries 53extending into lateral sides 18 are the same. i

Trunk 61 must extend from bottom side 31 of wall 1' such that it iscoincident with trunk 61" of the immediately below positioned bathroomwall 1". This is a substantial departure from the configuration shown inFIG. '1. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, trunk 61' extends in astraight line downwardly from orifice 62' and terminates at theextremity of male comprssion fitting 75, the latter extending frombottom side 31 The previously discussed tributary 65 interconnectedorifice with trunk 61 at a point lower than the position of orifice 62'.The orientation of tributary 65 serves two purposes. First, the wastewater flowing through orifice 66' from tub I flows downwardly fromorifice 66 to trunk 61 and therefore will not have any tendency toback-up. Secondly, by having the waste water from tub 1 flow into apoint beneath aperture 62 there is'little if any danger of having thewaste waterfiow into the bowl of toilet 8. Similarly, there is little ifany danger'of having the waste material from toilet 8 fiow throughtributary 65' orifice 66' and into tub 2.

In the previously discussed bathroom wall 1, trunk 69 of waste disposaltree 60 was shown as extending vertically downwardly for a limiteddistance from female compression fitting 26; thence, trunk 69 angled tointercept and communicate with orifice 71 and subse quently interceptand communicate with tributary 63. In the bathroom walls positioned onthe second or higher floors, trunk 69 extends vertically throughbathroom wall 1' from female compression 26' to a corresponding malecompression fitting 76. A tributary 72 connects to and angles away fromtrunk 69'. Tributary 72 communicates with orifice 71 and further extendsfrom orifice 71' to the lower part of trunk 61. The interconnection iseffected below the position of orifice 62' in order toinsure that thewaste material flowing through orifice 71' and into tributary 72 willnot tend to flow through orifice 62' and into toilet 8.

Trunk 800i air vent tree 79, as shown in FIG. 2, terminated at thejunction of tributaries 81 and 82. In the bathroom wall 1, shown in FIG.3, trunk 80f of the air q vent tree 79' continues vertically downwardlyfrom female compression fitting 28' to male compression fitin each ofthe bathroom walls. At each of the floors, taps from these pipesinterconnect the respective hot and cold water passageways (40', 41, 46'and 47) disposed within each of the bathroom walls. The orientationand'method for connecting the hot and cold water passageways are thesame as previously discussed.

In FIG. 3 there is also shown the means for interconnecting verticallyadjacent bathroom walls constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. The bottom side 31' of wall 1' dimensionally corresponds withtop side 25 of wall 1 Thus, the width and breadth of the wallcross-sections are the same. The chases 21' and 22' disposed withinvertical sides 20' and 20" are also dimensionally equivalent. Walls 1'and l are keyed to one another by male compression fittings 76, 75, 77and 78 mating with female compression fittings 26", 27", 28" and 29",respectively. In addition to keying one wall with an adjacent verticalwall, the respective male and female compression fittings interconnectthe various trunks of the waste disposal trees, the air vent tree andand the HVAC tree. To insure a firm seal between the male and femalecompression fittings, annular rings or seals may be disposedtherebetween.

Referring in particular to FIG. 4, there is shown a bathroom wall 1having two lateral sides 18 each of the lateral sides forming one wallof adjacent bathrooms; The various dimensional relationships between thevarious trees discussed above are also shown. Each of the trunks 51',61', and are approximately centrally positioned within wall 1.Similarly, the tributaries of channels intermediatethe orifices disposedon the lateral sides and the trunks or tributaries.

Where a bathroom wall constructed in accordance with the presentinvention is used for adjacent or back to back bathrooms within adwelling complex, the orifices 71, 62 and 66 are equally spaced andpositioned on either lateral side 18' of wall 1. As shown in FIG. 4,orifices 71', 62' and 66' are disposed within a protrusion extendingfrom the lateral side. The purpose of the protrusion is that ofpermitting a more simple mechanical interconnection between the orificeand the respective bathroom fixture. I I The hot and cold waterpassageways extend intermediate trunks 51, 70 and 80' and one of thelateral sides 18' of wall 1. Where each of the lateral sides 18 of wall1' forms one side of adjacent bathrooms, there must of course be acrossing of the flow of hot and cold water to either lateral side. Suchcross flow may be accomplished by having each of a plurality of pipespositioned transverse to wall 1 and extending between correspondingorifices. The passageways interconnecting each of the orifices with itsrespective hot or cold water source (pipe 22 or 23) may feed into therespective transverse pipe between corresponding orifices rather thanfeeding each corresponding orifice individually.

, As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, the paths of the trunks andtributaries are essentially in straight lines. Where a tributaryinterconnects with a trunk, the point of interconnection is eithercurved or forms an acute angle, thereby disrupting the flow of fluid(whether it be a liquid or a gas) to a minimum extent. The minimuminteruption of flow, creates a minimum of turbulence and hence a minimumof noise generation.

Where possible and monetarily feasible, any necessary bends or changesin direction are accomplished by curving the respective tributary ratherthan angling it. In this manner, those passageways and tributaries whichcarry a flow of fluid do so with a minimum disruption of the flow path.With such a minimum disruption of the flow path, the sound levelcoefficient produced by the flowing fluids is minimized and little ifany unpleasant or distracting sound is generated within the wall. Allsound cannot of course be fully inhibited and some reliance must be madeupon the sound'dampening qualities of the material of the wall itself.

One of the primary features of the present invention is that ofproviding a prefabricated bathroom wall which contains all of the neededpassageways for the various utilities required in a bathroom. By using awall constructed in accordance with the present invention it is nolonger necessary to first construct the framework of the wall and theninsert therein the various piping, channeling or ducting required forthe utilities. Instead, when the present invention is constructed, italready includes therein all of the required passageways for theutilities. All that is required after the wall is erected is that offitting the various bathroom fixtures to the orifices disposed in thewall and connecting the various inlets and outlets of the utilitypassageways to the respective sources and terminations.

Referring now to the flow chart shown in FIG. 5, a method forconstructing a bathroom wall 1, which wall incorporates the features ofthe present invention, will be described. The wall may be constructedfrom any one of a plurality of flowable hardenable materials such asconcrete, any one of the many plastics, fiberglass, or some type ofextruded or expanded foam. The following to be described method isprimarily directed to using concrete. It is, of course, understood thatthe same method may be used with many other materials.

As shown in the flow chart (FIG. the first step of the method is that ofpreparing a concrete form defining the top, bottom and sides of thebathroom wall. Prior thereto, concurrently therewith, or subsequentthereto, steps 2,3,5 and 6 are carried out. Steps 2,3,4,5

and 6 involve the preparation of the configuration and layout of each ofthe above discussed trees. Each of these trees, that is, the wastedisposal tree, the air vent tree, the hot water tree, the cold watertree, and the HVAC tree are sized and dimensionally configured to fitwithin their respective positions within the wall.

Each of the above discussed trees may be prepared by simply forming thetree from plastic piping. Where otherwise feasible, the trees may beformed from collapsible air bags. When used, the bags are removed afterthe flowable, hardenable material has cured. In the alternative, andwhere cost is of particular importance, each of the trees may be formedby freezing water in the desired shape and size. When the latter methodis used, there must of course first be constructed a suitable vessel forretaining the water until it has frozen. Once the water has frozen itsvessel may be removed. The advantages of using ice as a form forestablishing the passageways will be described in more detail below.

After the various trees have been formed, step 7 of the method includesthe positioning of various trees within the previously constructed form;and the addition of appropriate structural supports and positioningmembers within the form. The latter elements orient the various treeswith respect to the vertical and horizontal sides of the wall andprovide structural support. Where the wall of the present invention isto be used as a load bearing member, further structural bracing may berequired.

After the form has been completed, step 8 may be effected. Step 8includes the pouring of a flowable hardenable material, such asconcrete, into the form. As is well known, flowable hardenable materialwill flow in and about the form and occupy all of the space nototherwise occupied by the tree forms and structural supports. Theflowable hardenable material will also act as a bonding agent inpermanently positioning the various structural supports and trees withrespect to one another and the sides of the form.

If the trees are formed from plastic piping, the piping will, of course,be firmly imbedded within the flowable hardenable material. Wherebuilding codes so require, the trees can be formed of copper tubing,which tubing is permanently imbedded in the wall.

If ice is used as the tree forms for one or more of the above discussedtrees, the setting or curing process will generate sufficient amounts ofheat to melt the ice. By appropriate control of the environment, thesetting or curing time and the heat generation, the iced trees will notmelt until after the flowable hardenable material has taken a set.Subsequent to the setting and final curing of the flowable hardenablematerial, all of the ice will have melted and the water maybe poured outof the cured material, leaving a plurality of passageways within thewall. In order to preserve the ice tree until the flowable hardenablematerial has set, it may be necessary to insert cooling coils within thewater prior to freezing the water. The coils can then be used toinitially freeze the water and maintain the ice trees at a freezingtemperature while the flowable hardenable material is curing. Or, thecoils can be energized subsequent to the freezing of the water when thetrees are disposed within the flowable hardenable material. When theflowable hardenable material has cured, the coils can be de-energized topermit the ice trees to melt.

Step 9 of the method of the present invention is that of permitting theflowable hardenable material to cure.

the removal of water if iced trees are proofing compound to prevent anyfluids flowing therethrough from permeating the wall material. The waterproofing may be accomplished by the simple process of filling theexposed passages with water proofing compound; permitting it to set fora brief period; and draining the compound. The residue left afterdraining wll form a film upon the interior surfaces of the passageways.If desired, the above procedure may be repeated until a desiredthickness film is established. This process is shown as step 12 in FIG.5. In the alternative, the wall material may be made of water imperviousmaterial.

The cured and waterproofed wall is now ready for surface finishing (step13) in accordance with the texture and color scheme of the bathroomwherein it is to be installed. In the alternative, the cured andwaterproofed wall may be installed within the dwelling complex andfinished on location.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in anillustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to thoseskilled in the art many modifications'of structure, arrangement,proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in thepractice of the invention which are particularly adapted for specificenvironments and operating requirements without departing from thoseprinciples.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for conveying utilities to and from utility inlets andoutlets of fixtures within a dwelling unit, said apparatus comprising:

a. a unitary wall member defining a boundary of the dwelling unit:

. b. said unitary wall member including a chase disposed along onevertical side of said unitary wall member, said chase beingadapted toreceive a plurality of conduits serving as a source for the waterandelectrical utilities supplied to the dwelling unit;

c. a first plurality of passageways extending into said unitary, wallmember from said chase and out of said unitary wall member through anorifice in at least one lateral side of said unitary wall member, saidfirst plurality of passageways conveying a utility to said unitary wallmember;

(1. a second plurality of passageways extending into and out of saidunitary wall member from opposed horizontal sides of said unitary wallmember, each of said second plurality of passageways including at leastone orifice disposed in one face of said unitary wall member forreceiving exhaust products from within the dwelling unit; I

e. pipe means disposed within said chase for interconnecting the sourceof utilities with respective ones of said first plurality ofpassageways;

f. further pipe means secured within each of the orifices in eachlateral side of said unitary wall member for interconnecting said firstand second plurality of passageways with the respective inlets andoutlets of the fixtures; and gv each of said first and second pluralityof passageways being essentially devoid of pipe means for channeling theutilities and exhaust products, respectively; whereby, utilities areconveyed into the dwelling unit through said first plurality ofpassageways and exhaust products are conveyed out of the dwelling unitthrough said second plurality of passageways.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second pluralityof passageways includes a trunk extending from the top horizontal sideof said unitary wall member to the bottom horizontal side of saidunitary wall member.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said unitary wallmember includes a female compression fitting disposed in the tophorizontal side of said unitary wall member and communicating with saidtrunk and a male compression fitting extending from the bottomhorizontal side of said unitary wall member and communicating with saidtrunk; whereby, a plurality of said unitary wall members may be stackedon top of one another while retaining a continuous vertical cavitythrough said stacked wall members.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second pluralityof passageways includes a first set of passageways for waste disposal, asecond set of passageways for venting said first set of passageways, anda third set of passageways for heat, ventilation and air conditioning.

S. The apparatus as set forthin claim 4 wherein said first plurality ofpassageways includes a fourth set of passageways for hot water, a fifthset of passageways for cold water and a sixth set of passageways forelectrical power.

each

1. Apparatus for conveying utilities to and from utility inlets andoutlets of fixtures within a dwelling unit, said apparatus comprising:a. a unitary wall member defining a boundary of the dwelling unit: b.said unitary wall member including a chase disposed along one verticalside of said unitary wall member, said chase being adapted to receive aplurality of conduits serving as a source for the water and electricalutilities supplied to the dwelling unit; c. a first plurality ofpassageways extending into said unitary wall member from said chase andout of said unitary wall member through an orifice in at least onelateral side of said unitary wall member, said first plurality ofpassageways conveying a utility to said unitary wall member; d. a secondplurality of passageways extending into and out of said unitary wallmember from opposed horizontal sides of said unitary wall member, eachof said second plurality of passageways including at least one orificedisposed in one face of said unitary wall member for receiving exhaustproducts from within the dwelling unit; e. pipe means disposed withinsaid chase for interconnecting the source of utilities with respectiveones of said first plurality of passageways; f. further pipe meanssecured within each of the orifices in each lateral side of said unitarywall member for interconnecting said first and second plurality ofpassageways with the respective inlets and outlets of the fixtures; andg. each of said first and second plurality of passageways beingessentially devoid of pipe means for channeling the utilities andexhaust products, respectively; whereby, utilities are conveyed into thedwelling unit through said first plurality of passageways and exhaustproducts are conveyed out of the dwelling unit through said secondplurality of passageways.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1wherein each said second plurality of passageways includes a trunkextending from the top horizontal side of said unitary wall member tothe bottom horizontal side of said unitary wall member.
 3. The apparatusas set forth in claim 2 wherein said unitary wall member includes afemale compression fitting disposed in the top horizontal side of saidunitary wall member and communicating with said trunk and a malecompression fitting extending from the bottom horizontal side of saidunitary wall member and communicating with said trunk; whereby, aplurality of said unitary wall members may be stacked on top of oneanother while retaining a contiNuous vertical cavity through saidstacked wall members.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid second plurality of passageways includes a first set of passagewaysfor waste disposal, a second set of passageways for venting said firstset of passageways, and a third set of passageways for heat, ventilationand air conditioning.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 whereinsaid first plurality of passageways includes a fourth set of passagewaysfor hot water, a fifth set of passageways for cold water and a sixth setof passageways for electrical power.